If you could change one thing about the immigration process, what would it be?

[RebeccaAndPhil 5]

Go ahead, vent all your frustrations out about the USCIS/immigration process! What would you change if you had a magic wand?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

I would double (at the very least) the minimum income required to satisfy the Affidavit of Support.

I would eliminate the ability to adjust to LPR status from visitor status.

[Bernie C 24]

I think the first phase was pretty simple and consistent (Initial petition for K-1 in our case)

What I would like to see though is:

1) consistency accross the board within consulates and across consulates. I mean even within one consulate, it certainly appears that one CO may look at things entirely different than another. And rude!!!, some are down right crude and rude. One CO may approve a case and another deny the exact same case.

2) The employees and staff at the consulate should be trained in human behavior. My fiancee worked at a resort before coming here, no matter how bad her day was she was required to be polite and smile at the guests, even if they were wrong. I know its a little different but everyone deserves to be treated like a human being and not humiliated. Some of our friends here have had their SO's in tears and asked unethical questions. I really dont believe it is anyones business when two people first had sex or if they use contraceptives!!!!!!!!!!!!

3) The governement needs to update their websites and documents in a reasonable time. We ran into an instance where we did nothing wrong but received a paper stating denial. In the end it was all fine but when I went to the consulate to discuss this they were closed even though the website said they would be open that day. And when I asked why we received a denial they said, "Well, your not denied, everything is fine". When I questioned the paper I was led in a circle but the truth was - they dont have a paper that says "Sorry we made a mistake", they make it out like it was your problem.

4) Going a little further on that - Why was my fiancee treated so rudely when she asked the questions. When I went to the consulate a week later I was greeted with smiles and received a complete explanation of what happened and what they were doing to fix it. However in that week we sweated our butts off and were so worried I lost half of the little hair I have left!!!

Oh geez, I guess I should get off the soap box but I wont. We are now here together but some of our friends are getting the poo treatment and it disgusts me.

Maybe we should put a consulting service together and approach the government with a plan to fix the system. We could travel all over the world, and with a government contract, benefits, holidays, etc etc just might make a pretty good time of it hahaha.

Umm, have a nice weekend everyone.

[F & J 21]

I would really like the online system to be more real-time - e-filing would be wonderful too!

[BriCar 0]

A K1 process start to finish in 2.5 months would be nice.

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Better communication, especially on the answers to questions!

[Empress of Groovy 373]

Communication. I'd say the most frustrating part of our 2-year AOS ordeal was dealing with the fear that our application had disappeared into an abyss. Months and months went by, and no one could tell us the status except that it was delayed. In fact, I had to rely on a friend's sister who works for DHS to make sure our application was still in the system, and I was very grateful to have that connection. She couldn't speed it up, of course, but at least we knew it was still there and pending. Also, she, better than anyone or any document, explained what was holding it up and why it had been languishing for so long. USCIS people we dealt with along the way, both on the phone and at the office, were typically less than knowledgeable and unsympathetic.

[RebeccaAndPhil 5]

We might not actually be able to change anything but it feels good to get it out huh?

Bernie C, sorry you guys had such bad experiences

[ally and moh 3]

WOW! I would change soooo much!

It takes WAY too long.

The income guidelines could be lower.... after all, many of us are living alone and don't need alot to be happy... except our SO. And it's hard asking someone to be a co-sponsor when you are an adult living on your own.

I also agree with the treatment at the consulates... needs improvement. And I will say no more on that.

Just my thoughts!

[Twisted K 2]

where to begin?? i think the number one thing i would change is an equal opportunity across the board with all the embassies/consulates. if there seems to be an issue with a case, i believe the embassy should allow the petitioner to contact them and receive an adequate response. concerning AP, i think more information should be given as to the particulars of the AP, as in background checks, or document verfication. they should also allow the department of state to see more into their databases.

the list for the overhaul goes on and on. i do think there are positives on how things are handled (i just have to look harder for them ).

[sachinky 465]

--E-Filing should be an option.

--Communication. They should be able to update you with up-to-date information and tell you where you are in the process instead feeding you the generic lines.

--2 months MAX. to approve the initial petition.

--Actually, dump the CR-1s and K-1, altogether. Allow spouses/fiancees to secure a B-2 tourist visa based on evidence of relationship/bonafide marriage at the interview to enter the U.S. and then file for AOS.

--Cheaper forms.

[kaffy 2]

I wouldn't change a thing, I think the process is good as is.

[TBoneTX 45,550]

The employees and staff at the consulate should be trained in human behavior. [...] everyone deserves to be treated like a human being and not humiliated. Some of our friends here have had their SO's in tears and asked unethical questions.

Some of them need to be hauled back to the U.S. in chains.

A Dream, in One Act (not original, unfortunately)

Having again refused to consider evidence that had been brought to the interview, the CO at the consulate in Guayaquil, Ecuador had yet another innocent visa applicant by the collar and belt, and was preparing to heave him physically from the premises as a "fraud," when they tripped over a bottle, out of which popped a genie. The genie said, "Because it is obvious that you are mortal enemies, I will grant ONE of you ONE wish, and the other will automatically receive DOUBLE of what the first has wished for." The applicant immediately said, "I wish to be half-dead!"

[rin and john 71]

I would eliminate the ability to adjust to LPR status from visitor status.

I would go 180 degrees the opposite direction and allow everyone to adjust status from within the USA since the vast majority already do. In 2008, 367,000 aliens were granted LPR status as the spouse or child of a USC. Another 103,000 were granted LPR status as the spouse or child of a LPR for a total of 470,000 spouse/child LPRs. Of these 470k, we can assume that about 70,000 to 80,000 were K visa entries based on 2007 and 2008 K visa entries. For the remaining 400,000 they either received an immigrant visa abroad or filed AOS from within the USA. Given that 60% of all new GC recipients already live in the USA, it is fairly safe to assume that a significant number of the remaining 400,000 adjusted status from within the USA

I would eliminate the USCIS petition process for K-Visas. It is essentially a pre-approval process to evaluate a person from a security standpoint as admissible to the USA. The US State Department already does this for a significant majority of visas.

In 2008, there were 175 million non-immigrant admissions into the USA. The vast majority of these were from Canada and Mexico with multiple crossings by the same person. Another 39 million were admitted with an I-94 arrival/departure card. Of these 39 million, only 59,000 were admitted as K1/K2/K3/K4. So the K visa entries represent 0.03% of all non-immigrant entries and 0.15% of all I-94 arrivals. The USCIS' first contact with many of these admissions occurred at the border without three months of petition processing. Many came on the VWP or received visas at an embassy without pre-approval by USCIS. So why not do the same for family members of US citizens? Allow them to initially apply at the embassy, get a visa; come to the USA; and then begin the I-130/I-485 process.

http://www.dhs.gov/files/statistics/public...s/yearbook.shtm

[Fandango 1,439]

I would double (at the very least) the minimum income required to satisfy the Affidavit of Support.

I agree with increasing, not so sure about 'double at the very least' but def increasing income req's

I would change K-1s to an 'immigrant' visa which at least had a provisional EAD, AP, etc.

I'd prolly also change the req of only having met once, to at least twice over the period of at least a year.